12 of the best changing bags tested by parents

What to look for when choosing a changing bag

How much room do you need? – Babies need a surprising amount of stuff for a trip out of the house – nappies, cream and wipes are the basics but you should also pack feeding equipment, a change of clothes, toys, muslins and anything you might need for the weather, such as sun cream for summer and warm items for winter. For a day trip, a compact bag is usually fine but for weekends away, you might also want to invest in a larger bag or case. If you’re just popping out quickly, you can even buy a changing purse that comprises a small fold-up mat with space for a few wipes and a couple of nappies.

How do you want to carry it? – Changing bags come in several styles, so choose what you would usually use as your day-to-day bag. A backpack keeps your hands free and is great if you’re baby wearing; a messenger or shoulder bag can be worn on one side or across your body and a handbag can be held in your hand or over your arm. Many bags also include clips to attach the bag to your stroller while you’re on the move.

Storage compartments? – To keep everything organised and help you find something in a hurry, most bags have both internal and external pockets. Areas dedicated to a changing mat, nappies and wipes are essential and hidden pockets for your keys and purse are helpful. Some bags even feature handy extras such as insulated pouches to keep drinks warm or cool and anti-bacterial linings.

Does it include a changing mat? – Look for a bag that has its own matching changing mat. Not only will it have a dedicated space that holds it perfectly but it saves having to buy an extra item.

Practical or designer? – There’s a huge range of bags available, from inexpensive bags just for use with your baby, to stylish designer bags made from premium materials that transform into a handbag when your baby has grown. Though a luxe bag might be more expensive, it has a longer lifespan and might be a good investment in the long run.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite bags, including unisex baby changing bags for mums and dads, to help you make the right choice for you.

1. Baby Uma Chic Vegan Leather Unisex Changing Bag, £52.99

– Best for vegan leather

Dimensions: 43 x 33 x 25cm

This is a neat vegan leather bag that borrows some of the top features of the best changing bags and comes up with a solution for baby changing that both looks attractive and has plenty of room inside. The top zip is extra wide, making it easy to access everything inside the main compartment and there are a total of 12 compartments, meaning you can store everything in its own space.

There are two insulated pockets for bottles or snacks in the front pocket, which are quick and easy to grab, and the bag comes with its own padded changing mat. When you’re not using it as a changing bag it doubles as a bag for everyday life, the gym or even a weekend away. It is made from vegan-friendly faux leather with silver coloured hardwear and it will fit a laptop or tablet inside. Pair it with the additional buggy clips (bought separately) to attach it to your stroller.

Parent tester Jenni, who tested this with her newborn son, said: “The bag is incredibly spacious and allows for good organisation of all the items that babies seem to require upon leaving the house.” Fellow home tester Tracey adds: “Great bag, easy to use and very smart.”

Pros: More than enough pockets for all your gear, generously sized and vegan friendly
Cons: May be hard to find small items at the bottom

Available from: Amazon

2. My Babiie Dani Dyer Metallic Rose Gold Marble Deluxe Changing Bag, £40

– Best for a bit of glam

Dimensions: 30 x 45 x 10cm | Awards: Silver – Changing bag, MadeForMums Awards 2022

This bag has just the right amount of glam to make you feel good in the morning, or as parent tester Rebecca, mum of 2 says, "It's that little bit of luxury when you are feeling exhausted from being up all night with the baby".

Not only is it stylish, but it's also practical and aims to make your busy life easier. It has a padded changing mat and insulated bottle holder included. At the front of the bag there are 2 pockets for easy access to store any essentials you may need to grab in a rush.

To store anything valuable, there's an internal pocket and to ensure the bag fits comfortably round you, or the pushchair it has an adjustable padded shoulder strap, which our tester loved: "Unlike other changing bags, this one has a shoulder pad so you're not left with a strap mark on you".

Rebecca went on to say, "I am so impressed with this bag and will continue to use it for a long time. It's very practical and big".

Pros: Stylish, padded shoulder strap for comfort, comes with changing mat and insulated bottle holder
Cons: Not as many pockets inside as other options listed

Available from: Argos and My Babiie

3. Wow Bag, £60

– Best for compact storage

Dimensions: 10 x 27 x 26cm

For a compact changing bag, the Wow Bag is great. It has 15 compartments, allowing you to organise your changing bag thoroughly. It even has a dummy clip to keep one to hand at all times, and a mini purse to store bank cards or coins. Parent tester Simona tested this changing bag (pictured above) and said, "There are lots of different compartments to allow for carrying lots of stuff which is easily accessible due to the clear compartments making a parent's life easier. The bag is easy to use and comes with a leaflet suggesting how various pockets can be used".

Inside, there's a padded changing mat attached and on that there is a detachable wipe pouch. You can even put the wipe pouch onto the front of the bag if you think you need to access them often. The thermo bottle pocket also comes in handy to keep milk or drinks the right temperature.

For the harder days, there's a lovely "you've got this" affirmation embroidered inside the bag. The bag can be used as clutch for a smarter look thanks to its detachable strap. Our tester said, "the bag is high quality and comes in modern stylish designs". It easily clips to the buggy with matching buggy clips.

Simona does think the bag is quite expensive but has a lot a lot of longevity: "It's waterproof and made of good materials which will make it last for years to come until the child does not need a changing bag or it can be used for a second child or even just as a bag".

Pros: Lots of compartments for organisation, dummy clip, wipes pouch, changing mat, thermo bottle pocket and durable
Cons: May be too small for some

Available from: Wings Of Wild

4. Pottiagogo Changing Backpack, £29.99

— Best for potty training

Dimensions: 42cm x 34cm x 17cm | Awards: Gold — Changing bag, MadeForMums Awards 2023

This bright and fun backpack has a specific travel potty pocket which fits a foldable travel potty comfortably so it's perfect if you're on-the-go potty training, or are out and about with no nearby public facilities. Its main compartment is easy to access due to the wide opening design and 2-way zips. There are a total of 10 internal and external pockets to carry all of your changing and potty essentials — including 2 insulated pockets and an internal laptop pocket.

It's perfect for on the go as it's compact, lightweight and easy to carry. There is a padded back panel to ensure comfort and the padded shoulder straps can be easily adjusted. You can also purchase the matching potty which the bag has been specifically designed to accommodate, and the matching teddy bear shaped changing mat.

Parent tester Lucy, who tested the backpack with her 6 month and 21 month old children said "It's a fantastic quality bag which fits everything I need for my 2 children. It has lots of useful storage compartments and I think the compartment at the back of the bag for the potty will be great for out and about when potty training.This bag is lightweight and comfortable when wearing and I love how it is water-resistant and can be wiped clean."

Pros: Water-resistant, lightweight, lots of compartment options
Cons: Changing mat isn't included

Available from: Amazon and Pottiagogo

5. Skip Hop Forma Backpack, £89

– Best for easy access

Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 35

This is a lightweight backpack with an attractive quilted fabric on the outside with wide opening pockets and insulated side pockets. Inside the main compartment are separate holders for different types of baby gear; there’s an insulated one for bottles, plus a mesh pocket for clothes and muslins. They are accessed through a front opening, which makes it quick and easy to get to and the lining is in a light lime colour, making it easy to see what’s inside. There’s an included padded changing mat and the bag comes with stroller straps too. It will hold all you need for your baby and you can even pack a laptop with ease.

MFM Consumer & Reviews Editor Christy says: “The back straps are padded but only lightly, so it’s possibly not as comfortable as some. It has loads of great compartments, which is really handy for separating items.”

Pros: Internal pockets for different items, elasticated interior pockets make it easy to grab items, generous enough for a full day out
Cons: Doesn’t fit every bottle size, straps could be more thickly padded

Available from: John Lewis and JoJo Maman Bébé

6. London-Olivia Notting Hill Backpack, £89

– Best for longevity

Dimensions: H:41 x W: 34cm

This stylish offering from London-Olivia is packed with great accessories and some lovely features. You get a changing mat, an insulated bottle holder and a parent purse which allows you to keep your phone, keys and money separate from your baby's things and easy to find. There is a baby wipe pocket on the side that you can access without having to take the backpack off, 11 compartments including 2 insulated ones and it's waterproof both inside and out so will protect you if you get caught in a rain shower, or if you need to carry some wet clothes. There's also a padded laptop compartment inside so it easily doubles up as a stylish backpack when you no longer need to use it as a changing bag.

It's ready for travel too, with pram straps included that can attach to most pushchairs and shopping trolleys as well as a suitcase strap that can easily slide on to your luggage handle when travelling. It's made from vegan leather and arrives in environmentally friendly, plastic-free packaging. There are 4 colours to choose from: black (pictured), grey, red and brown.

Parent tester Lucy, who tested the backpack with her 18-month-old daughter said "I wanted a changing bag that is functional and stylish and have never quite found one. The London-Olivia bag is both of these things. It has all of the space I need for my baby's items as well as mine, AND it looks stylish enough to wear when I am without my baby and need my own bag. I wish I had found it 4 years ago when I had my first baby!"

There's plenty of storage space and our testers found that they could take all of their essentials out with them, but did note that when the bag is in use and full, the magnetic flap may not stay closed.

Pros: Doubles as a laptop bag, stylish, waterproof lining, accessories included, vegan leather
Cons: Magnetic clasp doesn't always stay closed

Available from: London-Olivia

7. PacaPod Saunton, £130

– Best for modular expansion

Dimensions: 36 x 32 x 21cm | Awards: Bronze – Changing bag, MadeForMums Awards 2022

PacaPod’s impressive Saunton changing bag wowed our home testers over and over again. Great as a unisex baby changing bag, our testers loved the top quality materials and soft vegan leather construction.

As with all Pacapod’s bags, you can customise and extend this bag according to your baby’s age and stage with different pods – there’s a changing, feeding, toddler and travel pod, plus a ‘freedom’ pod which holds mum’s precious items like phone, keys and sunglasses. Add a changing mat, pram clips and a bottle wrap to complete your bag. When your baby has reached the age where you no longer need the pods, you can simply remove them and use the bag as a generous backpack. The bag attaches to prams with clips and is worn as a backpack.

Testers were impressed with how easy to use the bag was. Home tester Kate says: “It takes some of the stress out of trips out and about. The pod system means that your bag is really well organised and when you need to change your baby it is easy, as everything is in one place.”

Pros: Highly organised and functional, versatile, unisex
Cons: Strap may be long on smaller prams

Available from: Amazon and Pacapod

8. Bambino Mio Baby and Beyond Change Bag, £79.99

– Best for reusable nappy users

Dimensions: 14 x 43 x 40 cm | Awards: Gold – Changing bag, MadeForMums Awards 2022

From a company that makes some of the most user-friendly washable nappies is this clever bag, created with sustainability in mind; it’s the perfect bag if you’re an eco-conscious parent. The water-resistant side pocket holds four of Bambino Mio’s reusable nappies when you’ve used them, keeping them away from your clean stuff. In addition, there’s a hidden pocket on the back for your valuables and a handy change pocket, with an easy-to-use magnetic closure in which to keep your clean nappies and reusable wipes, without any rooting around. The large parent pocket at the front is ideal for storing your phone, tablet or a novel and an insulated pocket keeps drinks and snacks fresh.

Parent tester Lara says: “The bag has numerous pockets and is a good size to hold all the essentials for a day out or weekend away with your baby. The bag has been thoughtfully designed to ensure there are pockets to suit storing both baby’s and mummy/daddy’s things.”

The bag can be used as a backpack, shoulder bag, on your arm or hung from the stroller with the included pram clips. Add the change wallet, which contains a changing mat and space for your wipes to complete your bag (available separately).

Pros: Easy to use layout, water resistant pocket, designed with sustainable baby products in mind
Cons: No changing mat included

Available from: Bambino Mio and TheNappyLady

9. Finnsøn SELBY Eco Changing Bag, £150

— Best changing bag for storage space

Dimensions: 35 x 39 x 13cm

Made with 100% recycled PET Polyester, this striking changing bag from Finnsøn is not only a great eco-friendly choice, but is also designed to be durable, practical and grow and adapt to your needs.

It has excellent storage space and comes with a good selection of internal and external pockets, including a waterproof compartment and 2 thermo-insulated bottle holders. Parent tester Devaki was particularly appreciative of the interior space and pockets of the bag, saying "the bag's generous size makes it an excellent choice for parents who appreciate ample storage space, it accommodates all the essentials and more. The main compartment is roomy and well-organised, providing easy access to items when needed. One of the most convenient features of the bag is the thermal bottle holders. I found them to be highly efficient and reliable, ensuring that my baby's milk stayed warm or cold for hours."

It has a lightweight design, sturdy handles and a detachable and adjustable cross-body strap. It's also extremely durable, parent tester Devaki said: "the bag is made from high-quality materials built to withstand daily use. I found the fabric thick and resistant to tears, ensuring longevity even with frequent handling. Overall, it has proven to be a reliable and practical choice for parents on the go."

You can choose between a black, camel or a leopard print and it comes with a lovely quilted changing mat.

Pros: Generous size, sustainable materials, stylish design options, water resistant, some accessories included
Cons: Pricey, more internal pockets would be welcome for better organisation

Available from: John Lewis and Finnsøn

10. Babymel Robyn Convertible Vegan Leather Backpack Changing Bag, £75

– Best for versatility

Dimensions: 35 x 29 x 15cm

Another great bag that can be worn as a backpack, shoulder bag, cross body or handheld. It is ideal for the vegan parent, as it is made from faux leather with silver coloured hardware and comes in four stylish colours. The outer is water resistant and the lining is easy to wipe clean, helping you to keep it looking good.

It comes with seven internal and external pockets for all your bits and pieces and there’s also an insulated bottle holder that closes with an easy-to-use drawstring. The changing mat (which is machine washable) is included and matches the colour of the lining and a genius touch on this bag is a pocket on the side with space for a packet of wipes, with a slot to pull them out of.

Pros: Vegan leather, clever wipes pocket, can be worn in multiple ways
Cons: Faux leather can be less breathable

Available from: Amazon and Babymel

11. Nova + KOA Charli Backpack, £145

– Best for sustainability

Dimensions: 37 x 36 x 19cm

Nova + Koa is an ethical brand that uses vegan leather and is constantly looking for recycled materials to use in its products. The Charli bag is suitable for use as a backpack but also as a baby changing bag, giving it a longer life than many changing bags, as you’ll want to use it for years to come.

In black or pink vegan leather with gold hardware, the bag has three separate compartments and patented anti-odour linings – perfect for transporting baby’s dirty clothes and even your gym shoes. It has a good space for your laptop and inside is a bottle pocket that takes a 500ml bottle, perfect for baby’s drinks while you’re out. MFM Consumer & Commerce Editor Gemma says, "I got this when I was pregnant, it was great when my son was little, and I now use it for work! I've had a good 3 years of wear out of it. Just be careful when unzipping as I do find the various pockets and linings occasionally get caught in the zip."

The bottom compartment is ideal for shoes, a lunchbox or a supply of nappies and wipes and it flattens down when you’re not using it, making the bag neater. It’s smaller than many bags, so it’s ideal for a day out though you would struggle to get enough in it for a weekend and it doesn’t really look like a baby bag – which may be an advantage when you have some time off!

Pros: Sustainable materials, anti-odour lining, clever use of space
Cons: More inside pockets would be handy, linings can get caught in zips

Available from: Nova + Koa

12. Lässig Tidy Talent Backpack, £97

– Best for range of accessories

Dimensions: 35 x 15 x 45cm

Lässig makes a wide range of high quality, stylish baby accessories and this bag looks like one of the trendier backpacks from Scandi brands. In dark blue or olive, it has good quality zips with neat pulls and comes with a wider range of accessories than many changing bags; a changing mat, insulated bottle holder, jar holder and stroller clips for starters.

Inside, there’s plenty of space for all of baby’s bits and pieces and everything is neatly stored in the internal pockets. There’s even a section for your computer and a few documents or magazines, plus concealed pockets on the strap and the bag’s rear for your keys, purse and phone. A loop on the rear allows you to slip the bag over a suitcase handle when you’re travelling.

Parent tester Danielle said: “On first glance, it was easy to see the different compartments and find where I wanted to put different things. I like that the zip was large so it was easy to access the inside of the bag when on the pram.”

Pros: Chic and stylish, roomy enough for day trips, plenty of accessories
Cons: On the large side

Available from: Amazon